Mauricio Pochettino has been urged to replace Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson after the comeback win over Nottingham Forest.
The Blues were heading towards a disappointing defeat as Willy Boly and former Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi put Forest in front after Mykhailo Mudryk’s early opener at the City Ground.
But Pochettino’s side scored twice in the final ten minutes to edge the five-goal thriller and move level with sixth-placed Newcastle United with two games remaining.
Jackson headed home an inviting cross from returning Chelsea captain Reece James to score the winner against Forest, just two minutes after Raheem Sterling equalised.
But ex-England winger Chris Waddle was nevertheless critical of Jackson’s performance at the City Ground and believes Chelsea should be in the market for a new striker this summer.
Jackson, who jumped into the away end to celebrate with the away fans after scoring, has netted 14 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season.
‘Chelsea have got ability and some very good players,’ Waddle said on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘There is a lot of players you can build around next season, but they definitely need a goal scorer.
‘If they get a centre forward you will see Chelsea pushing for the top four next season. They just shaded it tonight.
‘But Chelsea have got to sort it out next season. They have got some class players and sometimes they do play too slow. They are going the right way, but the top four is a long way off.’
Speaking at half-time, Waddle also criticised Jackson and suggested his performance level meant Chelsea were playing without a striker.
‘A fair result so far,’ he said. ‘Forest have had the better chances, but Chelsea have dominated the ball and they’re not looking to hurt Forest.
‘Chelsea don’t have a centre forward. You cannot tell me that Raheem Sterling cannot do better than Nicolas Jackson!’
Pochettino, meanwhile, was full of praise for his Chelsea side after they came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest, who have all but secured their Premier League survival defeat the 3-2 defeat.
‘The best thing is the way that we always believe until the end, football is about fighting,’ Pochettino said.
‘I am pleased because the players from the bench made a big impact so I am happy with our recovery. It was important for the team to finish the season strong, with the hope to start next season really well.
‘If we are honest we were punished in our first 10 games. Our performance was good but we were not clinical and we wasted big chances.
All the data said we were in a false position. After we beat Tottenham, in the last 24 games we are in the top four or five.
‘I want to be positive, that is important. The players believe in the way that we work. We have struggled in these type of games but this young team need to realise how we need to compete.’
Despite the loss, Forest are almost guaranteed to be playing Premier League football next season after Burnley and Luton Town both suffered hugely disappointing defeats earlier in the day.
Burnley’s relegation was confirmed after their 3-1 defeat to Tottenham, while Luton will also be in the Championship next season barring a miraculous turnaround – both in terms of points and goal difference – on the final day.
